Chiang Kai Shek College Accountancy graduates continue to perform well in the CPA licensure exams-- deemed the toughest licensure exam in the country. For the May 2017 CPALE, CKS College earned a passing rate of 70.59%, as compared to the national passing rate of 35.31%. In the October 2016 CPALE, CKS College earned a passing rate of 52.50%, as compared to the national passing rate of 36.48%. Last May 2016, the College got a passing rate of 66.67% overall, compared to the national passing rate of 42.84%.

The PRC-Board of Accountancy administered the CPA licensure exams on May 14, 15, 21, and 22, and released the results on May 29. 3,389 out of 9,645 takers passed the CPA Licensure Examinations. The four-day exam covered the following subjects:  taxation, regulatory framework for business transactions, auditing, financial accounting and reporting, management advisory services, and advanced financial accounting and reporting.

The CKSians who passed the May CPA board exams are:

• AÑONUEVO, CLAUDINE MARIE O.
• ARRIOLA, PATRICIA ANNE P.
• BANTOL, ALLAN BRYANT S.
• BIELZA, MARELLA EVANS A.
• CAI, MAE ANGELICA D.
• CUA, ANDREW V.
• GUEVARRA, RINA REI S.
• LAMUG, JAN LEMUEL F.
• MACABALLUG, KATHRYN L.
• PANTI, SHARLEEN NIKKA S.
• ROSALES, HELENDEL NICOLLETE L.
• SAGAD, SANTIAGO FRANCISCO III V.
• SAMSON, RACHEL ANNE N.
• SUMALDE, EMERALD JOY C.

Over the years, CKS College has produced various CKSian topnotchers in the CPALE. In May 2015, CKSian Eunice Millicent Li ranked first in the CPA board exams, with a score of 92.29%. Benson Kotah ranked 6^th in May 2012, and Jan Marcus Tang ranked 2^nd in May 2010. Other CKSian topnotchers are Ms. Elaine Mary Co (15th Placer, May 2006), Mr. Ferdinand Tan (16th Placer, May 2002), Mr. Mark Anthony Ong (16th Placer, October 2001), Mr. Gilbert Lim (16th Placer, October 1996), Ms. Caroly Yu (9th Placer, May 1987), and Mr. Hilario Tan (3rd Placer, October 1986).

The CKS College Commencement Exercises shall be held on May 13, 2017 (Saturday), at the CKSC Auditorium, Padre Algue Campus. A sum of 198 proud graduates (177 Bachelor’s and 21 Master’s degree candidates) shall be recognized as they are ushered into various industries to make a positive difference in society.

This year's Magna cum Laude is a 2+2 scholar recipient-- Ryan C. Li Fong (Bachelor of Secondary Education-- Major in Teaching Chinese Language). As top graduate of the Class of 2017, he shall receive the Julian Cotio Award for Academic Excellence. Two Honors' Circle scholars shall march at the Graduation Rites as Cum Laude: Jasmine Tiffany C. Wong (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-- Major in Marketing Management) and Bryann Raymart R. In. (Bachelor of Science in Accountancy). Mr. In earned the highest grade point average amongst BSA graduates of his batch, and shall receive the Tan Lin Lay Award for Top Graduate in Accountancy and the Isla Lipana & Co. Award of Academic Excellence. All three latin honors awardees shall also receive the Late Chua Tan Bi Tin (Alumni 20) Achievement Award.

Furthermore, as stipulated above, 21 Graduate School candidates for graduation will be receiving their confirmations in the aforesaid ceremony.  This year’s Academic Excellence in Graduate Studies goes to Ms. Jessica Lhay M. Asaña (Master in Business Administration), who also happens to be one of the recipients of the Excellence in Research Recognition.  Other recipients of the Excellence in Research include: Jose Martin M. Matubis (Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management & Supervision), Lily Bien A. Mendoza (Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management & Supervision), Shinsuke Sonobe (Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management & Supervision), and Dexter T. Te (Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management & Supervision)

The Commencement Speaker for the CKS College Commencement Exercises 2017 shall be Mr. Angel Ngu, honorary president of the Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., and recipient of the Outstanding Manilan for Community Service Award in 2016.

The graduation ceremonies shall be from 9AM to 12NN and can be viewed via live stream athttp://www.cksc.edu.ph/stream. It can also be viewed via live video on Facebook.

Two separate teams of CKS College Marketing students were declared Champion and 2nd Runner-Up in the Interschool Marketing Plan Competition organized by CEMARS (Centro Escolar Marketing Society). The competition was held last February 15, 2017, at the Centro Escolar University.

14 teams of Marketing students from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Centro Escolar University, Chiang Kai Shek College, and La Consolacion College competed in the 2-stage Marketing Competition to vie for the title "Next Top Marke-Team."

CKS College sent two teams of participants. The first team, comprised of Jasmine Tiffany Wong (4th Year, BSBA - Marketing Management; Honors' Circle Scholar SY's 2013-2017), Heather Angelique Co (4th Year, BSBA - Marketing Management; Honors' Circle Scholar SY's 2013-2017), and Jamaica Maru Costales (4th Year, BSBA - Marketing Management; Honors' Circle Scholar 2013-2014; PS Bank Scholar SY's 2014-2017), was declared CHAMPION. The second team, comprised of John Carlo Carcido (3rd Year, BSBA - Marketing Management), Vanissa Tanlimco (3rd Year, BSBA - Marketing Management; Honors' Circle Scholar SY's 2015-2017), and Jasmin Russel Lim (4th Year, BSBA - Marketing Management) was the 2nd Runner- Up. CKSian John Carlo Carcido was also awarded Best Male Case Presenter. Both teams, coached by Ms. Jessica Lhay Asana, consistently ranked high in all three rounds of the competition.

It was, indeed, an extraordinary day of achievements, as CKSians once again proved that they have what it takes to exemplify excellence in the fields of Business and Marketing.

On February 9 to 11, CKS College shined once again as 3^rd Year BS-HRM student Mac Gyver C. Tan won in the Dolce Division of the European Cook in Tour Philippines Interschool Culinary Competition. He was accompanied by HRM Coordinator Ms. Elaine Banares and his coach, Chef Sherril Lyn Chua.

The competition was organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and Chef Academy, Italy, in cooperation with EPBN, ECCP, BFBC, GCCPI, BritCham, Italian Embassy Manila and Dante Alighieri. Event sponsors were Technolux, Belmont Hotels and Resorts, Italfood Distribution Inc., Charmant Ingredients, Jura Single Malt Whiskey and Mighty Corporation.

Proving himself to be one of the most promising culinary talents from his generation, Mr. Tan had the opportunity to submit his dessert creation to prominent European chefs for judging. The 3-day interschool competition, held at the Mall of Kitchens, Makati provided aspiring chefs with the opportunity to not only engage in friendly competition, but also to network with European star chefs and be educated further in the aspect of European Cooking.

Photo Credit: Ms. Elaine Banares